While municipal water supplies are regularly tested to ensure safety, well owners are entirely responsible for ensuring the safety of their own water supplies.
But what should you get your water tested for?
If you have specific odors, these are the tests to consider:
- For a Sulfur or rotten egg smell, have your water tested for Total Coliform Bacteria & Sulfates
- For an Oil or Gasoline like smell, test for Volatile Organic Chemical or EPA 8260
- For Fishy or Sweet smell, test for Barium, Cadmium and Manganese
- For a Musty or Earthy smell, test for Total Coliform Bacteria and Manganese
If your water looks strange these are the contaminants to test for:
- If it looks bluish/green, test for Copper, Lead and pH
- If it’s brown/orange/yellow, test for Iron
- If it’s Grey/Cloudy/Sediment, test for Coliform bacteria, Silica and Total dissolved solids
- If it leaves a white residue on glassware, test for Sodium and Total hardness
- If it leaves a black staining on fixtures, test for Manganese
- If there’s soap scum or the soap doesn’t lather, test for Total Hardness
If you have Small Children or Babies in the Home, then have your water tested for Total Coliform Bacteria, Lead, Nitrate/Nitrite and Fluoride.
If you have a new Well, then have your water tested for Bacteria, Nitrate/Nitrite, pH, Sodium, Iron, Manganese or Total Hardness.
If you have an Older Well, then have your water tested for Total Coliform Bacteria, Lead, Nitrate-Nitrite and Primary Drinking Water Metals.
To learn more of about why and how to have your water tested, please visit us at JoinerMicroLab.com or call us at 540-347-7212 to speak to one of our technicians or to order your tests today.